1998 Mercedes SL 500 detail...

[Clean Dean]

One of my absolute favorite cars of the late 1990’s was the 1990 through 2002 Mercedes Benz SL class (w129). These cars exemplified to me a sports/touring drop top with sophistication and class. I detailed this 1998 model this Friday in my favorite color combo for this car in black/tan.

The car needed some attention particularly the exterior, but was still a very fine driver:


http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/320217.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/320207.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/320211.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/320212.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/320205.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/320203.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/320204.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/320210.jpg

The car was washed and then clayed early that morning and a buff with Menzerna’s SIP which cut through most of the harsh wash scratches. I finished the car off with 3M Ultrafina and waxed with Collinite’s Marque d’ Elegance. Then it was time for the interior.


http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5029.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5005.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5022.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5071.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5106.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5048.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5134.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5098.jpg

I would be lying if I said the interior was bad, but there was a layer of grime on the leather and door skins that was no match for Meg’s APC 20:1 and the Eurosteam 1900 Vapor Cleaner. All leather was then treated with Lexol, and trim and dash cleaned then dressed with Stoners Trim Shine. All glass cleaned with old reliable Spray Away.

Before:

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5032.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5031.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5033.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5034.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5050.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5051.jpg

After:

http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5053.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5094.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5062.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5088.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5092.jpg

I have been a Member of the Mercedes Benz Club of America, and belong to a few Mercedes Benz forums, and I get the feeling that the W129 SL Class has become a car that has lost its appeal to most enthusiasts. Most complain that the look is dated, and it is stuck between the classic lines of the W107 and the contemporary lines of the W230 SL. For me it still has a place in my heart, and hope to land one in my garage in the not too distant future.


http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5084.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo83/cleandean2/SL%20500/sl5083.jpg

[Garry Dean]

That is a nice car! Nice work!

[tuscarora dave]

nice job.

[flash gordon]

:cool: I am also fond of this model M/B. Great job. :cool: :dcrules

[Luster]

Car turned out great!!!:rockon:rockon:rockon

[blk45]

Great work as always Dean! :bigups

[Old Pirate]

Great job there CD, it`s been awhile that I had the pleasure in doing one of these.........:cheers:

[OCDinPDX]

I still like that body. Wouldn`t mind having an SL600 in silver. Very nice recovery!

[vwgtivw]

:wow:

[flash gordon]

I still like that body. Wouldn`t mind having an SL600 in silver. Very nice recovery!

:cool:All tha 600 series(v-12) I`ve ever taken care of have had alot of minor defects(mainly electrical/transmission) odd for M/B. But that is my experience for what its worth. :cool: :dcrules

[dave40co]

My brother has the `98 SL 500 Sport model in white and a ragtop to boot. I have driven it and it kicks butt. I am going to do a detail on it soon. Nice job on that classic. How hard is that clear?

[Troy@Protekt]

That was my dream car.:drool:

I used to park cars in the late 80`s and early 90`s and that was "THE" car to me back then and the new ones are just as impressive to me now.

:inspector: Nice work. :bigups

[jaybs02]

Another great job Dean

[Clean Dean]

How hard is that clear?

Typical hard Benz clear. Not ridiculously hard like the new ceramic clears, but hard nevertheless. I also did a 97 S320 (old square body) this week in black, and that one was a killer.